CHAPTER 3 Senses Alert
The three day journey passed quickly. Obi-Wan and Bruck had studies to keep up with, and Qui-Gon and Darick were kept reading the reports that the council had provided them with for the mission.
Early on the morning they were arriving, while all on board were asleep, Obi-Wan awoke screaming, "NOOOOO! Get away! GET AWAY FROM US!"
Qui-Gon quickly jumped out of bed, and ran to his apprentices side, reaching for the teen, gently shook him, "Shhh, shhh, it's all right Padawan. Wake up. Wake up."
Obi-Wan whimpered a few more times before he opened his eyes up. Qui-Gon looked down at him with concern. The Master knew that the nights sometimes terrorized his apprentice, but his last nightmare had been months ago. Qui-Gon ran his hand affectionately over Obi-Wan's short hair, "Do you want to tell me about it."
Obi-Wan bit his lip and turned towards his Master, who drew him into a protective embrace, "I could not move. I could not move and someone was going to hurt Klea. And we were alone. And I could not help her."
Qui-Gon rubbed his apprentice's back and said soothingly, "Well, it was only a dream, and you are safe now. Klea is safe too. But I think you will feel better if you sent her a holo. I brought this along for you."
Qui-Gon pulled away long enough to place a portable holo sending device in Obi-Wan's hand. It was small enough to fit in the padawan's hand, but powerful enough to send a holo anywhere in the galaxy.
Qui-Gon then stood up and said, "I am going to use the refresher, send Klea a holo. I think you are just missing her."
Obi-Wan managed a small smile and nodded. He had a sinking feeling that it was more then that. But Obi-Wan had been a bit paranoid lately.
After he sent the holo, Bruck knocked on the door, "You okay?"
Obi-Wan nodded, "Sorry for waking you."
Bruck smiled, "That's all right. I am just glad that you are okay. This mission is typical enough. Probably should not take more then a few weeks."
Obi-Wan chucked his bed pillow playfully at his friend, "Don't you realize that there is no such thing as a typical mission with Master Qui-Gon and I?"
The four Jedi managed to fall back asleep for a few more hours worth of sleep. When Obi-Wan opened his eyes, his Master was not there. Obi-Wan looked at the chrono next to his bed and jumped up with a start. They were due to land in less then an hour, and Obi-Wan had not showered, meditated, or eaten. He was surprised that his master allowed him to sleep in. Scrambling, Obi-Wan quickly got out of bed and grabbed a fresh tunic, leggings, and robe.
He was rushing to get into the shower when Qui-Gon stepped in with a tray, he smiled at Obi-Wan and said, "Take your time Obi-Wan. No need to rush."
Obi-Wan was surprised, "But Master, I still need to meditate."
Qui-Gon nodded, "And you will, but I think one half hour will be sufficient this morning."
Obi-Wan grinned in relief and bowed to his master, he then went to the fresher and turned the water on. After adjusting the temperature just right he stepped in. He allowed the hot water to soothe him and his worried mind. He was safe, his master was safe, and his friends were safe. That was all that mattered, and safe they would all remain, no matter what.
After Obi-Wan was showered and dressed, he joined his master and together they shared a quiet breakfast. Then Obi-Wan knelt on the meditation mat. Qui-Gon took a spot next to him and they both surrendered themselves to the calm serenity of the force.
The half hour went quickly, and Qui-Gon's comlink went off, it was the captain, "We are landing Master Jedi."
Qui-Gon replied, "Very well Captain, thank you."
Obi-Wan stood up and gathered his and Qui-Gon's things. They
opened up the door, just as the door across the hall opened. And in
quiet companionship the Masters walked down the hall, their padawans
falling in step behind them.
Obi-Wan was troubled, he did not
feel right about this, he tried to center himself, but was not able
to, he finally said to himself, We are all safe, we will all remain
safe...right?
He did a poor job convincing himself.
Stepping off the transport, the Jedi Masters and the padawans bowed respectfully to the aide that had been sent to greet them.
The aide looked over the men and teenagers unimpressed, "I am Vrel Tren. Ambassador Jalson is waiting for you."
At that name, Darick and Qui-Gon looked at each other dumbfounded, they recognized that name, Darick then said, "Ambassador Jalson? Ren Jalson?"
Vrel Tren nodded a slight nod, "The same. And he is quite interested in the Jedi that the temple has sent here. But first, I am to take you an a tour of our beaches."
Obi-Wan
and Bruck walked a little ahead of their masters on the beach.
Qui-Gon and Darick kept a close eye on the two padawans, each Master
unwilling to let the padawans far from them, or out of their sight.
Sadly, Obi-Wan gently nudged his boot against a dead sea animal
that had washed up on the shore. Obi-Wan oceans. It was so full of
life, but looking out at the vast area of water, he could see that
the life in this sea was fading quickly.
Bruck came up beside him
and they nodded. Together they pulled empty vials out of their tunics
to take samples of the water, so it could be analyzed.
Not far away Qui-Gon and Darick were having a conversation, Darick looked worried, "We have to get the boys off this planet. If Ren still bares us ill will, there is no telling what type of danger our boys will be in."
Qui-Gon looked thoughtful, "I agree. At the first possible moment we will put them back on the transport and then we will contact the council. I do not want Obi-Wan and Bruck on this world a moment longer then necessary."
Ren
Jalson stood looking out of the window of his office. Darick Kint and
Qui-Gon Jinn were both here. He smiled and rubbed his chin
thoughtfully. He would have his revenge. If not on Darick and Qui-Gon
then on the sniveling brats that were with them.
Ren let out a
laugh, it was going to be almost like a game. A game they started
twenty five years ago and would finally finish.
Obi-Wan and Bruck followed their Masters silently. Obi-Wan knew that something was wrong on this world and it was more then the oceans being polluted.
Vrel looked over his shoulder and said, "Ren will see you both now."
Qui-Gon and Darick each placed protective arms around their padawans and followed Vrel. Earlier Qui-Gon and Darick agreed to keep their plans to themselves. They could not let Ren know that they were worried.
When Qui-Gon placed his arm around him, Obi-Wan knew something was up. Qui-Gon had lately become extremely affectionate, but when they were to meet an ambassador they were Jedi through and through. Qui-Gon in front and Obi-Wan one step back to the left. But this was different and it made Obi-Wan nervous.
He had a very bad feeling about this.
